Ipswich Town head to Rotherham in search of first League win

Paul Hurst’s Ipswich Town head to Rotherham United in search of first League win this season.

The Blues began their Sky Bet Championship campaign with an entertaining 2-2 home draw against Blackburn Rovers. Led by former Tractor Boy, Tony Mowbray, the Rovers were behind inside ten minutes as Gwion Edwards headed in on his home debut.

Striker from Danny Graham and Bradley Dack put the visitors ahead before substitute Tayo Edun – on loan from Fulham – curled in a late stoppage time equaliser to rescue a point.

Meanwhile, Rotherham were comfortably beaten 4-1 at Brentford. Neal Maupay and Sergi Canos gave the hosts a first-half lead. Second half goals from Ollie Watkins and Lewis Macleod extended their lead, while Maupay added to his tally. Will Vaulks scored in stoppage-time but it proved only to be a consolation goal for the Yorkshire side.

Darren Potter is the Miller’s only absentee as he continues his recovery from a second Achilles operation, although Jamie Proctor could return to the squad.

Blues boss Hurst – who made 438 League appearances for the Millers – may look to give new signings Toto Nsiala, Jon Nolan and Kayden Jackson debuts. Teddy Bishop, Emyr Huws and Danny Rowe have returned to training but it is too early for them to feature.

While a first win of the season will be Hurst’s prime target, a victory against Rotherham has often come hard to come by for the Tractor Boys and tomorrow’s match will be another test for the former Shrewsbury boss.

Hurst faced Rotherham three times last season but only managed one win, suffering defeat once against the Millers in the regular League campaign and in the Sky Bet League One play-off final.

The Millers have won three and drawn one of their previous five meetings with Ipswich. Meanwhile, during the 2016-17 season, their relegation season, Ipswich were the only team who were unable to beat the Millers – drawing and losing once.

Speaking ahead of the trip to Yorkshire, Blues boss Hurst spoke of his delight at capturing a number of his transfer targets.

“Overall I think we’ve had a pretty productive transfer window. We’ve brought in more players than we first envisaged we’d be able to.” he said to the Club Website.

“Obviously that’s on the back of a couple of sales, but I think we’ve used that money to strengthen the squad as a whole.”